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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I chose this book because it is narrated by Davina Porter of Diana Gabaldon fame. I really enjoyed ms. Porter, as usual, but I was pleasantly surprised in how much I enjoyed the book. It is set in Scotland and centers around a fishing class with 8 participants. One of them is murdered and the local constable, Hamish Macbeth, solves the crime. Ironic that he is a tall, red headed Highlander! This book reminded me of "Murder She Wrote" in its comfortableness. I liked it so much I started another by the same author, "Death of a Scriptwriter".
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Better than I thought it would be but it’s not that good. Didn’t feel like the book gave much of an opportunity for the reader to try and guess the motive and the killer
Macbeth and the Gossip Columnist
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2016) of the St. Martin's Press hardcover original (1985)
After discovering M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series due to the Estonia cameo in [b:Death of Yesterday|15791120|Death of Yesterday (Hamish Macbeth, #28)|M.C. Beaton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1355119144l/15791120._SY75_.jpg|21512700], I started to seek out the earlier books by finding several at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker Street. I enjoyed those and found them to be an especially delightful diversion during this continuing pandemic. My next plan was to go back and read the series in order. I then discovered the rather terrific bonus that most of the books are available free on Audible Plus, a service that I had previously been underwhelmed by (some early attempts with longer books had audio difficulties, with book narrations freezing in midstream). Beaton's shorter books (usually 4 to 5 hours on audio) seem to be perfect for this medium.
Death of a Gossip is the first of the series and establishes several of the ongoing cast of characters in the fictional town of Lochdubh (pronounced Lock-Doo) in the Scottish Highlands. Gossip was inspired by author Beaton attending a fishing school similar to the fictional one in the novel. The guests of the expedition find themselves tormented by Lady Jane, a vacationing gossip columnist who savours using her trivia gossip knowledge to annoy others. Predictably, she is murdered in the course of the trip, and local constable Macbeth is called on to solve the crime.
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2016) of the St. Martin's Press hardcover original (1985)
After discovering M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series due to the Estonia cameo in [b:Death of Yesterday|15791120|Death of Yesterday (Hamish Macbeth, #28)|M.C. Beaton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1355119144l/15791120._SY75_.jpg|21512700], I started to seek out the earlier books by finding several at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker Street. I enjoyed those and found them to be an especially delightful diversion during this continuing pandemic. My next plan was to go back and read the series in order. I then discovered the rather terrific bonus that most of the books are available free on Audible Plus, a service that I had previously been underwhelmed by (some early attempts with longer books had audio difficulties, with book narrations freezing in midstream). Beaton's shorter books (usually 4 to 5 hours on audio) seem to be perfect for this medium.
Death of a Gossip is the first of the series and establishes several of the ongoing cast of characters in the fictional town of Lochdubh (pronounced Lock-Doo) in the Scottish Highlands. Gossip was inspired by author Beaton attending a fishing school similar to the fictional one in the novel. The guests of the expedition find themselves tormented by Lady Jane, a vacationing gossip columnist who savours using her trivia gossip knowledge to annoy others. Predictably, she is murdered in the course of the trip, and local constable Macbeth is called on to solve the crime.
This is one of those fluffy, cozy mysteries that I like to read as filler in between more substantial books.
mysterious
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
A dark little set piece in which a group of horrid snobs are thrown together in the Scottish Highlands before a murder occurs. This is the novel in which Beaton introduces the seemingly gormless character of Hamish Macbeth, who I understand has a long career of sleuthing in front of him!
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
